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Machete-Wielding Man Strikes In Ridgewood

Detectives collared a Ridgewood man last Thursday, Mar. 21, for allegedly smashing through the front door of an apartment a week earlier and using a machete to attack a man, police reported.

The suspect was identified by law enforcement sources as Smail Muratovic, 27, of Grove Street.

According to information by the Queens District Attorney’s office, the incident took place at around 11:30 p.m. on the evening of Mar. 14 at an apartment on Grandview Avenue near Harman Street.

Reportedly, a man and woman were inside the residence when Muratovic kicked opened the front door and walked in.

Brandishing a machete, law enforcement sources said, the suspect allegedly pointed the weapon at the male victim and demanded a cell phone and car keys.

Seconds later, Muratovic reportedly whacked the man in the left arm with the machete, causing a deep laceration, then fled from the scene on foot in an unknown direction.

Officers from the 104th Precinct responded to the scene. The male victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, which also included a broken left arm.

According to the criminal complaint, doctors needed to use eight staples to close the gash on the victim.

Based on information obtained by the 104th Precinct Detective Squad, Muratovic was tracked down last Thursday and charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and a single count of second-degree assault.

Court records indicated that the suspect was arraigned last Friday, Mar. 22, in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Stephanie Zaro and released on $7,500 bail.